Purchasing solid brass http://www.ebay.com/bhp/brass lamp for a
reasonable price requires a bit of knowledge and time. One must first
understand the difference between solid brass and brass plating. A lamp made
of solid brass is either created from a solid piece of pure brass or made
with a brass sheet http://www.ebay.com/bhp/brass-sheet that is hollow
inside. Brass plated lamps are typically made of steel, iron, or zinc and
have a thin coating of brass sprayed onto the lamp.
Benefits of Solid Brass
When brass plated lamps are created, the manufacturer will add a protective
lacquer. While this may sound beneficial, it makes it impossible for the
lamp owner to polish the brass without first removing the protective
lacquer. Brass can forever be polished to reveal a gorgeous shine, unlike
brass plated items. One should note that, if the lacquer is removed from a
brass plated lamp, the brass will deteriorate quickly since only a fine
layer of brass exists. A solid brass lamp
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/brass-lamp , on the other hand, can retain its
original luster and beauty for generations.
How to Tell the Difference Between Solid Brass and Brass Plating
The easiest way to determine if a lamp is made of solid brass is to use a
magnet. A magnet will adhere to an item made of metal. Solid brass is not
magnetic. Another way to tell the difference is to scratch the lamp.
Obviously, one would want to do this in an area of the lamp that is hidden.
If the scratch is yellow, it is most likely solid brass. An item made of
steel or zinc will produce a silvery scratch.
Antique Brass and Antiqued Brass
True antiques are usually defined as being over 100 years old. Shoppers
looking for a solid brass floor lamp
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/solid-brass-floor-lamp will not find one in a
department store. When purchasing an antique brass lamp, one should
understand that manufacturers sometimes use misleading labels that indicate
the item is an antique. The word “antiqued” means that the item has been
made to look like an antique by distressing techniques. Some manufacturers
have dropped the “d” and now call these “antique” brass lamps, but what they
are selling are brass plated lamps that have been treated to look antique.
True antique brass lamp bases
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/antique-brass-lamp-base are found through antique
dealers, collector shows, auctions, and estate sales or passed down by
family. Some antique solid brass lamps are centuries old since brass was a
common alloy used in the 16th to 19th centuries. Though a true antique brass
lamp http://www.ebay.com/bhp/antique-brass-lamp cannot be found in a
department store, the opposite may occur where an antiqued brass lamp from a
department store finds its way to an antique store. This is why shoppers
should be educated before they purchase a lamp.
How to Care for a Solid Brass Lamp
Since solid brass lamps http://www.ebay.com/bhp/solid-brass-lamp are
typically antiques, one should check the item for wear and tear before
purchasing. Understand that it may be necessary to replace the electrical
wiring to have a functional solid brass lamp. Replacing the wiring will
decrease the value of the lamp slightly, but it is also less likely to
become a fire hazard.
The solid brass lamp base http://www.ebay.com/bhp/brass-lamp-base or
brass lantern may look very dirty and dull, but polishing and cleaning the
brass may reveal a gorgeous new exterior. Tarnish can be removed with a
homemade cleaner made of vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. Rinse the brass
after cleaning and then use a soft cotton cloth to buff to a shine. Properly
caring for solid brass ensures decades of beauty for a vintage lamp
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/vintage-lamp .
Finding Solid Brass Lamps on eBay
To find solid brass lamps on eBay, look for the “Home & Garden” link on the
eBay homepage. From there, one will need to search for the Lamps & Lighting
category. Select Lamps on the next page and hit Refine Search at the top of
the page. Doing so will give the shopper a variety of options on the left
side of the page. Checking these boxes will narrow the search results.
Another way to find solid brass lamps on eBay is to search in the Antiques
area. From the eBay homepage, select Collectibles & Art and then Antiques.
Select Decorative Arts from the side menu and then choose Lamps from the new
list of links.
Shoppers can also find solid brass lamps by simply typing “solid brass lamp”
into the search field on the eBay homepage. Doing this will give the shopper
search results from every eBay category.
It is wise for shoppers to keep their eyes open for a seller offering free
shipping while browsing for a solid brass lamp. These lamps are typically
very heavy. Some sellers may offer local pickup if the shopper lives nearby.